OPENING DOORS TO NATURE
EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Application Period has Ended - Check back in Spring 2027
You now have until June 15 to apply for the scholarship.
Read all information below before proceeding to application.
2026-2027 Opening Doors to Nature Scholarship Program
The Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge announces the Friends of Valle de Oro Opening Doors to Nature Scholarship Program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Under the Program this year, the Friends will award scholarships with the minimum individual amount being $500. These scholarships will be awarded to students who are currently or will be enrolled in a conservation/environment-focused degree or certificate program in Fall 2026. Undergraduates or equivalent, only.
Program Guidelines and Priorities:
Students must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to apply:
- Attended a High School or College within New Mexico and are currently or will be enrolled at a (2)-year community college, (4)-year college or university, or a certificate program, in any location.
OR
- Attended a High School or College outside of New Mexico but are currently or will be enrolled in a two (2)-year community college, a four (4)-year college or university, or a certificate program, within the state of New Mexico. Undergraduates or equivalent only.
Students who are eligible may apply in more than one year, but this Scholarship will be awarded to an individual only one time.
Some preference may be given to applicants who have participated in a Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge or Friends of Valle de Oro NWR project, internship, or program, but this experience is not required.
Completed applications must be received by the Friends of Valle de Oro Scholarship Committee no later than 11:59 pm Monday, June 1, 2026. Late applications, or incomplete applications, will not be accepted.
Applications will be reviewed and award recipients selected by the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Scholarship Committee.
Requirements of Scholarship Winners
Scholarship winners must show proof of enrollment through the Enrollment Verification Form (shown below) in order to receive the scholarship payment. The Enrollment Verification Form must be signed by someone who can verify your enrollment in the program (i.e., advisor, instructor, registrar). This form must be submitted to the scholarship committee on or before 11:59 pm Friday September 11, 2026.
The Scholarship funds will be paid upon receipt of the Enrollment Verification Form. The award should be applied to tuition or education related materials (books, field or lab equipment, etc.) in the 2026-2027 school year.
Scholarship winners should plan to participate, either in person or virtually, at the August, September or October 2026 Board Meeting of the Friends of Valle de Oro to meet the board members and say a few words about their academic plan and how the scholarship will help them work toward their educational goals.
Scholarship winners are required to provide short reports on their academic progress and use of funds by the following deadlines:
- Mid-Year Report: due by 11:59 pm Friday, January 8, 2027
- Final Year-end Report: due by 11:59 pm Friday, May 28, 2027
A reminder e-mail will be sent to all winners a week or so prior to the report being due. Your program advisor will be notified if reports are not received on time.
Complete the online application with this Google form (You will need to be logged in to a Google account to access this application):
Application Link (no longer active)
If you do not have a Google account, you can find information on how to open one here: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/56256?hl=en
If you have any questions about the application or submittal process, or are unable to complete the application online, please contact Joan Morrison at joan@friendsofvalledeoro.org.
Remember, all application materials including the essay must be received by the Friends of Valle de Oro no later than 11:59 pm Monday, June 1, 2026. Late applications, or incomplete applications, will not be accepted.
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If you are selected as a scholarship winner, you will be required to submit the following form. The form will be sent electronically to all winners.
ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION FORM
If you are chosen as a winner of a 2026-2027 Opening Doors to Nature Scholarship, you must provide proof of enrollment in your program through the Enrollment Verification Form (example shown below) in order to receive the scholarship payment. The Enrollment Verification Form will be sent to winners electronically then must be completed and signed by someone who can verify your enrollment in the program (i.e., advisor, instructor, registrar). You must submit either the form or a signed letter on official program letterhead verifying your enrollment for the 2026 fall semester in a conservation/environment-
Either submission must include your advisor’s signature, phone number and email.
This Enrollment Verification Form or signed letter on letterhead is due by 11:59 pm Friday, September 11, 2026, in order for scholarship funds to be dispersed. The Scholarship funds will be paid upon receipt of the Enrollment Verification Form.
I hereby affirm that ______________________________
Name of Advisor: ______________________________
Name of College, University, or Certificate Program: ______________________________
Advisor Contact information: (e-mail) ______________________________
(phone #) ______________________________
Signature of Advisor: ______________________________
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